Sheet-feeding machine.



R E. KEMFER SHEET FEEDING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23. 1915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1'.

H. E. KEMPER. SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23. 1915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916. 6 ISHEETS-SHEET 2 FWTTMMM R. E. KEMPEB.

SHEET moms MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 23, ISIS. 1 i I Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i ll Mn W llllinI'Hll VENTOR R. E. KEMIPER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE; APPLICATION man JUNE 23. 1915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4-.

INVENTOI? R E. KEMPER.

SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION H LED JUNE 23, 1915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916 6 SHEETS-SHEET '5.

R. E. KEMPEEL- SHEET FEEDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION F|LED JUNE 23, i915.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6 m/ mwon ROBERT E. F REN'SSELAER,

SHEET-FEEDING MACKENZ E.

amnesia.

. Application filed .l'nne 23, 1915. I Serial No. 35,?53.

i i) all lchcmmay concern: lie it known that l. llonna'r E. hastens, a

citizen of the limited States, residing at llensselaer, in the county of llensselaer and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheetl eeding Machines; and i do hereby declare the following to he a full. clear, and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention consists in the novel features hereinafter described reference being had to the accompanying drawingsfwhich show a form or embodiment of the invention selected by me for the purpose of illustrating the same, and theinvention is fully disclosed in the following description and claims. Referring to the said drawings: Figure 1 represents a right side elevation of the machine or embodiment ofmy invention which I have selected forthe purposes of illustration. Fig.2 is a left side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same.- Fig. l is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a'vertical longitudinal sectional view' of the machine taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are detail views of parts of the mechanism illustrating them in different positions. I

The ob ect of my invention is to provide mechanism for automatically feeding in rapid succession sheets of paper, or otherlike articles, to a printing press or for any other purpose. 1 i

In carrying out my invention I provide means for supportin sheets (or other ar ticles) to be fed, preterahly in a vertically disposed pile; mechanism is provided for combing or fanning out the uppermost sheets,the topmost sheet being combed out farther than the adjacent sheets; separating mechanism is provided for separating the topmost sheet, a dividing roller is provided which is adapted to be moved'between the separated sheet and the remainder ofthe pile, and carry the separated sheet into engagement with a feed roller which, pref:

erably. rotates continuously and delivers the. sheet from the pile. Means are provided for securing the movement of the combing device into and out' of operative engagement with the pile of sheets and for rotating the combing device so thatthe .top sheet shall i Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25 1916. 7

always he at least sulliciently advanced, and mechanism provided which is brought into operation by the advance of the second sheet to temporarily throw out of operation the comher. and also mechanism for feed.- ing the pile of sheets toward the co'mber, for the purpose of preventing the over feeding of the individual sheets and the too rapid advance of the pile. Mechanism is also provided preferably in close prox imity to the dividing roller for clamping the second saeet adjacent to the feed roller, that is tosay. adjacent to the delivery end of the mechanism, so as to prevent the second sheet from being advanced by the withdrawal and delivery of the topmost sheet.

My invention also provides a bending and .friction rod beneath which the. sheets are fed and which serves as a bending point for the topmost sheet, also to hold the top sheet from sliding back on the pile under the influence. of the separator or separators;

'My invention also comprises other novel features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the embodiment of my invention which I have selected for purposes of-illustration the various parts of the mechanism are supported by a main frame, 1, which conveniently comprises a pair of side plates con-i nected by suitable transversely disposed parts and forming, with. the connected and supported parts, a unitary structure which may be supported adjacentto or attached to a printing press or other mechanism to which the sheets are to be delivered in any desired or convenient manner.

. I will proceed to describe the mechanical parts assembled in this embodiment of my invention as they are shown in the accom- 1 panying drawings, it being understood that the particular form oi gearing,'the particular shape and configuration of the parts, and other details of construction are not material to the invention. and may be departed "from in otherembodiments thercofij lbs ings in the side frames and provided at one end, see Figs. .2 and 3, with a ratchet wheel, 7, which is engaged by a locking pawl, 8, and also by an actuating pawl, 9, pivoted to a short arm, 10, secured to a rock shaft, 11, extending across the machine. The rock shaft, 11, carries the comher for fanning or combing out the upper sheets of the pile, which consists in this instance of a rotary disk, 12, provided with a circular series of idle rolls, 12,-, the peripheries of which are adapted to engage the topmost sheet of the pile. The comher is supported on a shaft, Ll, carried at the outer end of a frame, 1."), which is rigidly but adjustably secured to the rock shaft, 11. Rotary motion is imported to the comber in any suitable manner, for example, as herein shown, by a means of a sprocket chain, 16, passing around the sprocket wheel, 17,0n a comhei shaft and around a driving sprocket, 18,."on the shaft, 20, which in this instance is the main driving shaft of the machine. and is conveniently provided with means for driving it. as for example, the driving wheel, 19, see Fig. 3. Means are provided for positively raising the camber out of ope ative relation with the pile of sheets, to facilitate the withdrawal of the topmost Sl" et. and for permitting itto descend into the top sheet of the pile. in each cycle of op eration of the machine, and in this instance, these motions are iu'iparted bvmeans of a cam, ill, which engages a friction roll, 2:2, on a lifting arm. :23. loosely mounted on a transversely disposed stationary shaft or stretcher bar, 24, which may be. for example, one of the transverse supports for the side frames, the upper end of said lifting arm being connected by a link, 25, with the comh cr frame, 15. The raising and lowering of the colubcr will obviously operate the pawl, 9, and ratchet wheel. 7, and effect a vertical movenlcnt of the feed table, The driving mechanism which rotates the combel will also be so arranged as to impart to the comher ample movement when in contact with the top sheet of the pile to effect the feed of the topmost sheet to the desired point, as hereinafter described, and I prefer to so construct the mechanism that the feed of the comber will be rather in excess of than below the requirements of the machine and to provide means for automatically arresting the comber when the topmost sheets have been fed ,t'a'rthetnthannecessary or desired, said mechanism to be controlled by the secondshcet of the pile so that over feeding by the comber will be automatically prevented, aud simultaneously with the arresting of the comher the vertical feed of the table, 2, will be arrested so as to prevent over feeding thereof. For the purpose of arresting the comber when in raised position and preventing its descent upon the ntact with pile of sheets, I provide a stop arm. '26, mounted on a rock shaft, 27, and provided with a shoulder, 28,-adapted to engage a shoulder or projection, 29, formed on or connected to the lifting arm, 23. so as to prevent the descent of said arm from its raised position when the stop arm is-thrown by set screws or otherwise, and arc adjustable transversely of the machine. so as to engage the lateral edges of the sheets of the pile adjacent to the top of the pile, and prevent the sheets from becoming twisted. Extending rearwardly from the upper cdgc of the front guide. 30. I prefer to provide an upwardly inclined stationary board, 322.

which supports the forwardly projecting portions of the fanned out or combed out upper sheets of the pile as clearly shown in Fig. 5 and the said fccd board. 232. is given, preferably, such an inclination that the projecting portions of the said sheets will be slightly bent upward, although this is not essential. I prcfcr to provide adjacent to the upper end of the front guide. Ill). a transversely extending bending and friction rod, 33. to engage the topmost sheet of the pile at some distance from its outer end for the purpose of forcing it to bond at this point, when itis engaged and actuated by the separator or separators as hcrciuaftcr described,

and alsoto exert a light friction on the top- 'most sheet so that the topmost shcct cannot be moved ln clnvardly over the pile. under the operation of the separator or separators. I prefer to have this rod adjustable both longitudinally of the sheets. that is to say, backwardly and forwardly in the machine. and also vertically in order that it may set at the most advantageous point with respect to the particular sheets which are being fed and, in this instance, I have shown the rod, 33, carried by two arms. 34. at opposite sides of the machine secured to the side plates by screws. 35, passing through slots in the arms, 34, thus providing for the adjustment of the rod vertically as well as longitudinally of the machine.

-36 represents the feed roller which is prefe'ahly. although not necessarily. continuously rotated. The feed roller is mounted on a transversely disposed shaft, 37. and in this instance is driven by a sprocket chain, 38, passing around a sprocket wheel, 39, on the shaft, 37, and a 20, although obviously other forms of gearing may be enniloyed. I prefer to use a comparatively narrow feed roller, 36, although this is not important. To facilitate the delivery of the sheets singly frointhe apparatus. I prefer to provide a delivery. roller, 41. at the'rear end of the mechanism mounted on a shaft. 42, and driven in this instance from the shaft. 37. by means of a crossed belt. 43. and pulleys. iland 45, an idle roller being supported with its shaft. 47. engaging vertically slotted or yoke shaped bearings. 48. so that the idle roller.

i6, rests upoirthe delivery roller, 41, and

is rotated thereby to feed the intervening sheet as thesuecessive sheets are delivered.

Adjacent to the feed roller. 36. I provide separating mechanism for engaging the edge of the topmost sheet and bending it upwardly away from the inclined feed board. 32, and toward the feed roller,-36. For this purpose I employ one or more separators each of which comprises a vertically disposed but slightly inclined rod. 50, provided at its upper end with one or more teeth. I prefer to flatten the upper end of the separator into a sort of blade. and to provide it with a plurality of teeth. but this is not essential. In the drawings I have only shown one of these separators but it will be understood that I may use two. three, or any number which may be found most convenientand desirable. The sepa'- rator is, given a 'vertical n'ioveinentand in this instance I have shown the lower end of the separatoiz'ot connected to an actuating arm. 51. adj ustably secured to a rock shaft, extending transversely of the machine. the upper end of the separator being 1 guided in a slot or guide aperture in the feed board. 32. or provided with any other suitable form of guiding means. The rock means of a springgfii in this instance. con

nected to the arm. 53. at 59 and to the frame at (30. By'means pfillls construction the separator is moved down ardly by the cam,

57. and is moved upwardly to actuate the,

top sheet by'the spring. 58. so that should it encounter anv obstacles the separator will not be injured.

61 represents a. dividing roller which is adapted to be moved forward beneath the top sheet after it has been lifted by the separator or separators, to effectually divide it from the rest of the pile and also to -move it into operative relation with the feed roller and cause it tobe drawn off of the pile and delivered from the apparatus. This roller. (31. is carried by an. oscillating frame. This framecomprises. in this instance. a vertically disposed bar or member, (32. the lower end of which is secured to a rock shaft, (53. and has a rearwardly extending portion. (it. at its upper end which carries the roller. (31. The rock shaft. 63. is provided at one end. see Figs.- l and 4c, withan actuating arm. (35. to which is piv-. otally connected one end of a rod or bar. (36. the other end of which is provided with a forked portion. (37. having a guiding engagement with the main driving shaft. 20, and provided with a friction roller. (38, engaging a cam. (39. on the driving shaft. 20, for moving the rod. (36. rock shaft. (33. and. connected parts in one direction while a spring. It). connected to the arm. 35. at one end and to the main frame at the other moves the rod. (16. and arm. as. in the other direction. and moves the dividing roller to ward and causes it to press the separated sheet against the feed roller with ayielding pressure.- the caiii; (it). controllingthe ,nioveincnt of the roller under the action of said spring. .1 also provide means adjacent to the dividing roller and feed roller for clamping the forward end portions of the second sheet. preferably upon the feed board. while the top sheet is being drawn out inorder to v revent the second and oth.r sheets of the pile from being disturbed in the slightestdegree by the drawing off of the top sheet. In this instance. I have shown a-claiiiping jaw. Tl. pivoted at 72 to the frame member. (32. and having its rear end curved at- 73 to conform to the curvature of the periphery of the roller. (31. as shown in' Fig. (i. so as to prevent any of the sheets from getting between the clamping jaw and the roller. The clamping aw. T1. is held in elevated position by a retracting spring. 74. and is depressed into operative position by means of a pull rod,

'75. the lower end of which passes through an aperture in a lever. 76. pivoted at- 77 to the lower portion of the frame member. 672,

I the said vrod being provided above the lever,

immediately descends. releasing the top sheet and immediately engaging the edge of the second sheet in readiness for the next cycle of the machine. and I conveniently operate the clamping device from the rock shaft, which in this instance is provided with an arm. 81. secured thereto in such position that when the rock shaft. is moved by its cam. 57. in a direction to lower the separator or separators into engagement with the second sheet. the arm. 81. will strike the lever. 76. as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8 and depress the clamping jaw, Tl. upon the second sheet. thereby clamping it securely to the feed board. 32. and holding it until the top sheet is withdrawn from the pile and delivered from the machine.

I have stated heretofore that means are provided according to my invention for preventing the descent of the comber upon the pile of sheets and incidentally preventing the upward feed of the pile in case the sheets are fed forward too rapidly. This I accomplish by means entirely independent of the delivery of the topmost sheet and which are actuated directly by the second sheet of the pile, and I am, therefore. enabled to secure a more perfect and positive and satisfactory operation of this mechanism than wouldbe the case if I depended upon the topmost sheet to actuate said mechanism. To this end I provide what I term a trigger which comprises a vertically dis osed slender rod, 82, *arried by the dividing roller frame member. 62. to which it is pivotally connected. In this instance, the member 62 is n'ovided with a block. 83, adjustably securet thereto by means of a set screw and the trigger. 82. which is preferably inthe form of a bell-crank is pivoted at 8 1 to saiil block and has a short arm, 85,

i which engages a stop lug or stud. 8G, and is provided with an upturned portion, 87. A very light spring 88 connected to the short arm, 85, holds it normally against the stop lug, 86, and determines the position of the trigger, 82, with respect to the oscillating frame member, 62. i

89 represents a striker arm, which is also pivoted to the block, 83, or other part connected with the frame member, 62, and is normally supported by the up-turned portion,;87, of t e arm, 85, in such a position as to clear the upper end of a trip arm, 90, in this instance pivotally mounted upon and movable independently of the rock shaft, 63. The actuatin nected with the stop arm, 26, herein before referred to for arresting the, downward movement of the lifting arm, 23, carrying the camber. The connection may be made in numerous ways, but in the present instance I have shown the trip arm, 90, secured to a. sleeve, 91, on the rock shaft, 63, the other end of thefisleevebcing provided arm, 90, is operatively con-- with an arm. 92, having an aperture in its upper end through which a draw bar, 5) extends. a spring. 94, being interposed between a not or collar on the outer end of the rod. 93. and the arm, 92. The opposite end of the rod. 93. is pivotally connected to an arm. 95, adjustably secured to the rock shaft. 27. to which the oscillating stop arm, 26. is secured and I prefer to provide stops. 96 and 97, to limit the move ments of the lever. 95, and hence the movements of the stop arm. 26. A spring, 98, connected to the lever, 95. and to the frame holds the arm, 95. normally in contact with the stop. and thereby holds the stop arm. 26, in inoperative position. The

sleeve. 91, is provided with a spring, 99, in' this instance engaging the shaft. 52, for

normally holding the trip arm, 90, in its normal position.

Having described the various parts of the apparatus herein shown, I will now describe the operation of the same.

The pile of sheets is placed upon the table,

- 2. and the table is raised by lifting the rack bars, 4. until the topmost sheet is in contact with the comber when the latter is in its lowest position, and into contact with the bending rod, 33. If power is applied to the driving shaft from any suitable source of power the first cycles of the machine will result in merely fanning out the topmost sheets into the positions indicated in Fig. 5. and if it is desired to expedite the operation of the machine the topmost sheets above the upper inner edge of the front guide, 30, may be fanned out by hand. Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 5 the top sheet having been moved far enough forward to enable it to be engaged by the separator or separators, 50, the cycle of the machine will be as follows: The separator or separators will move upwardly separating the topmost sheet, and raising it to such a point that the dividing roller, 61, may pass readily beneath the sheet. The oscillating frame member (32 is then rocked in the direction of the feed roller. 36, so as to insert the dividing roller, 61, beneath the separated sheet at the same time carrying forward the clamping member, 71. I prefer to so construct the cams controlling the various parts that at this point in the cycle, the combing device wilhbe lifted out of contact with the pile of sheets. the separator or separators will be caused to descend into contact with the second sheet of the pile and the movement of the dividing roller will be arrested or delayed until this has taken place. When the separator or separators descend, the arm, 81, will strike the lever; 76, as before described and depress the clamp, 71, upon the second sheet just at or before the moment that the dividing roller, 61, presses the top sheet against the 62, recedes to its original position, while the comber again descends upon the pile ofsheets and feeds the top sheet forward as=-the separator raises its forward edge. As the oscillating frame member, 62, recedes, assuming that the sheet engaged by v the. separator has not been fed too far the striker arm, 89, passes over the top of the trip arm without operating it, as indicated in Fig. 7. If, however, the second sheet has been fed forward too far it will engage the trigger, 8:2, and thereby lower the short arm, 85, connected therewith, overcoming the light spring, 88, and lower the striker arm down upon the stud, 86, as indicated in Fig. 8. When the frame member 62 recedes the striker arm 89,-will engage the upper end of the trip arm, 90, as shown in Fig. 8, rocl-ting said arm and through the sleeve, 91,-rocking the arm, 92. and shifting the arm, 95, from stop pin, 97, to stop pin.

96,'(see Fig. 2), thereby moving the stop,

arm 26 (see Fig. 5) so as to bring itsshoulder. beneath the stop or shoulder 29 on the lifting arm, 23, and preventing the comber from descending during the next cycle of the'machi'ne, so that the topmost sheets will not be farther advanced and as the top sheet will nevertheless be drawn off and delivered the neitt sheetbelow, when it be comes the top sheet, will not be too far in advance. If it should be, however, the oomber will he again held out of operation in the same manner.

It will be seen that by means of the con As before stated in constructing the machine 1 pi 'ovide that the feed shall be soilicient under any circumstances," and interruptthe feed in the manner described for the purpose of makingit self'regulating. Obviously if the feed at any time, should be insufficient it would simply mean that brie or more cycles of; the machine wolild pass without efiecting the delivery of a sheet and no other result would be brought about, but as a matter of fact this does not happen in actual practice and the provision against over feeding herein shown is ellicicntf and enables the apparatus to handle sheets of any thicknesswith the practical certainty of delivering a sheet at each cycle of operation of the machine. that the second sheet is clamped and firmly held in position adjacent to its forward edge ,as the separator or separators descend to then-lowest position and engage the edge of the said second sheet and the said second sheet is preferably held by the clamp until the combei descends into engagement with the pile. and upon said sheet which has become the topmost sheet by the delivery of the sheet above it, when the clamp is released, the dividing roller retracted and the separator again actuated to raise the said sheet with which it is already in operative engagement.

'hat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

it will also he noted livery end of said supporting means, means for lifting portions of the topmost sheet into a position to be engaged by the feeding mechanism without moving it rearwardly,

a clamp for engaging the second sheetadjacent to the delivery end of the pile after the first sheet has been lifted, and means for moving said clamp out of the path of the first sheet and into engagement with the second sheet of the pile. i

'2. 1n a-m achine for like articles, the combination of means for feeding sheets or supporting a pile of the articles to be fed,

feeding mechanism located adjacent to the delivery end of said supporting means,

means for lifting portions of the topmost,

sheet into a position to be engaged by the feeding mechanism without moving it rearwardly, a clamp for engaging the second sheet adjacent to the delivery end of the pile after the first sheet has been lifted, and means independent of said clamp for en gaging the. topmost sheet of the pile-and preventing it from being moved rearwardly.

3. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles, the combination of meansfpr-supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, a feedroller located adjacent to the delivery end of said supporting means, means for lifting portions of the topmost article into position to be engaged by the feed roller, a clamp movable longitudinally of the machine towardand from said supporting means,-'.and means for moving said clamp downwardly into operative engagement with the second, sheet of the pile for holding itvwhile the topmost sheet is delivered from articles, the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, a feed rollerilocated adjacent. to the delivery end of said supporting means, a comber adapted to engage the topmost sheet and feed it endwise, a. separator for lifting portions of the topmost sheet, a dividing roller movable toward and from the feed roller for pressing the lifted portion of the topmost sheet against the feed roller, and a clamp for engaging the second sheet of the pile and holding it while the topmost sheet is delivered.

5. In a machine. for feeding sheets or like articles, the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed. a feed roller located adjacent to the delivery end of said supporting means, a comber adapted to engage the topmost sheet and feed it endwise, a separator for lifting portions of the topmost sheet. a dividing roller movable toward and from the feed roller for pressing the lifted portion of the topmost sheet'against the feed roller, and a clamp movable with the dividing roller beneath the first sheet and above the second sheet of the pile, and means for depressing said clamp upon the second sheet to hold it while the topmost sheet is delivered from the machine.

6. In a machine for feedingsheets or like articles, the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, a feed roller located adjacent to the delivery end of said supporting means; a separator for lifting portions of the topmost article, a movable frame provided with a dividing roller, movable toward and from the feed roller longitudinally of the machine, to carry the dividing roller beneath the lifted portion of the topmost sheet and press it against the feed roller, a clamp carried by said frame and means for depressing the clamp into operative engagement with the second sheet of the pile to hold it while the first sheet is delivered from the machine.

7. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles, the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, a feed roller located adjacent to the delivery end of said supporting means, a separator for lifting ortions of the topmost article, a movable fiame provided with a dividing roller, movable toward and from the feed roller longitudinally of the machine, to carry the dividing roller beneath the lifted portion of the topmost sheet and press it against the feed roller, a clamp carried by said frame, means for depressing the clamp into operative engagement with the second sheet of the pile to hold it While the first sheet is delivered from the machine, and means for lowering the separator into engagement with the second sheet while it is held by said clamp.

into engagement with the feed roller, a

clamp for engaging the second sheet'of the pile and holding it while the topmost sheet is delivered, and means for lowering the separator into engagement with thes-cond sheet while it is held by the said clamp.

9. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles. the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be'fcd, feeding meshanism located adjacent to the delivery end of said supporting means. means for lifting portions of the topmost sheet into a position to be engaged by the feeding mechanism without moving it rearwardly, a clamp for engaging the second sheet adjacent to the delivery end of the pile after the first sheet has been lifted. means independent of said clamp for engaging the topmost sheet of the pile and preventing it from being moved rearwardly. and means for moving said clamp out of the path of the first sheet and into engagement with the second sheet of the pile.

10. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles, the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, a feed roller located adjacent to and above the delivery end ofsaid supporting means, means for lifting portions of the topmost article and bringing them into operative relation with the feed roller, a bending rod extending transversely above the top sheet of the pile at a distance from the end engaged by said lifting means for holding thetop sheet in engagement with the pile and preventing it from slipping rearwardly, and a comber for engaging the topmost sheet or the pile and feeding it beneath said bending rod.

11. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles, the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, a feed roller located adjacent to and above the delivery end of said supporting means, means for lifting portions of the topmost article and bringing them into operative relation with the feed roller, a bending rod extending transversely above the top sheet of the pile ai a distance from the end engaged by said lifting means for holding the top sheet in engagement with the pile and preventing it from slipping rearvardly, a comber for engaging the topmost sheet of the pile and ing mechanism located above and adjacent to one end of said supporting means, a comber for engaging the topmost sheet of the pile, means for moving the comber into and out of engagement with the topmost sheet of the pile, m ans for lifting portions of the topmost sheet into position' to be engaged by said feeding mechanism. and means for holding portions of the topmost sheet in en gagement with the pile for preventing the rearward movement of the sheet.

13. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles, the cmubination of means for supporting a pile of articles to be fed. feeding mechanism located above and adjacent to one end of said supporting means. a comber for engaging the topmost sheet of the pile. means for noving the comber into and out of engagement with the topmost sheet of the pile, means for lifting portions of the topmost sheet into position to be engaged by said feeding mechanism. means for holding portions of the topmost sheet in engagement with the pile for preventing the rearward movement of the sheet. and a clamp for engaging the second sheet of the pile beneath the lifted portion of the topmost sheetfor holding said second sheet while the topmost sheet is delivered from the machine.

14. In a machine for feeding sheets or like articles. the combination of means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed.'feeding mechanism located above and adjacent to one end ofsaid supporting means. a comber for engaging the topmost sheet of-the pile; means for moving the comber into and out of engagement With the topmost sheet of the pile, means for lifting portions of the topmost sheet into position to be engaged by said feeding mechanism. means for holding portions of the topmost sheet in engagement with the pile for preventing the rearward movement, of the sheet, a clamp for engaging the second sheet of the pile beneath the lifted portion of the topmost sheet andmeans for lowering said lifting means into engagement with the second sheet of the pile while it is held by said clamp.

.15, articles. the combination with means for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, and a somber for fanning out the upper sheets of the pile, of an inclined eed board. for supporting the projecting portions of the fanned out sheets, a feed roller located above'said feedboard, means for lifting the topmost sheet, a movable dividing roller for pressing the lifted portion of the topmost sheet againstthe In a machine for feeding sheets or like feed roller, and a clamp for clamping thesecond sheet of the pile upon said feed board to hold it while the topmost sheet is delivered from the machine.

16. In a machine forfeedingsheets or like articles. the combination with means for supporting a pile of the articlesto be fed,

and a coniber for fanning out the upper sheetsof the pile. of an inclined feed board for supporting the projecting portions of the fanned out sheets, a feed roller located above said feed board. means for lifting the topmost sheet. means for pressing the lifted portion of the topmost sheet into engagement with .the feed roller, a clamp movable longitudinallyof the machine above said feed board. and means for depressing said clamp upon the second sheet of the pile to clamp it to the feed board for holding the second sheet while the topmost sheet is delivered from the machine.

17. Ina machine for feeding sheets or like articles. the combination of a table for supporting a pile of sheets..a comber for fanning out' the topmost sheets. a vertically disposed front guide for engaging the pileof sheets adjacent to the delivery end of the nnu-hine. an inclined feed board extending from the upper end of said front guide to' support the projecting portions of the fanned out sheets of the pile. a feed roller located above said inclined feed board. a verticall movable separator extending through a guiding aperture in the feed board for lifting a portion-of the topmost sheet toward the feed roller. a dividing roller adapted to pass beneaththe lifted portion of the topmost sheet and press it against the feed roller, and a clamp for engaging the seclike articles. the combination with means for supporting a pile of the articles to. be fed. and means for separatlngand' deliver- .ing the topmost article of the pile, ofa

comber for fanning out the uppermost sheets of the pile, means for raising said comber out of engagement with the pile during a portion of the cycle of the machine, a stop for preventing the descent of the comher into engagement with the pile, and means actuated by the second sheet of the-pile. andlocated out of the path of the topmost sheet for bringing said stop into operative relation with the comber.

I 19. In a. machine for feeding sheets or like articles, the combination with means I for supporting a pile of the articles to be fed, and means for separating and delivering the topmost article of the pile, of a. comher for fanning out the uppermost sheets of the pile. means for raising said comber out of engagement with the pile duringa" portion of the cycle of the machine, a stop the topmost article of the pile. of a comber for fanning out the uppermost sheets of the pile, means for raising said comber out of engagement with the pile during a portion of the cycle of the machine. a stop for pre venting the descent of the comber into engagement with the pile. tripping mecha- 1115111 for bringing said stop into operative relation with the comber, a striker carried by a movable part of said separating and delivering means normally out of operative relation with the tripping mechanism. and a trigger operatively connected with said striker and having a part in the path of the second sheet of the pile and out of the path of the topmost sheet, for moving said striker into operative relation with the tripping mechanism. v

21. In a machine for feeding sheets, or like articles. the combination with a supporting table, a comber for fanning out the uppermost sheets of the pile. located above said table, and means for raising said comber out of operative relation with the pile of sheets on said table during a portion of the cycle of the machine. of a stop for preventing the lowering of the comber into .operative engagement with the pile of sheets, a tripping mechanism for said stop, a separator for raising a portion of the topmost sheet. a feed roller, a dividing roller. means for moving said dividing roller toward and from the feed roller. a striker carried by the support for the dividing roller and normally held out of operative relation with said tripping mechanism, and a trigger carried by the support for the dividing roller. and having a portion in position to be engaged by the second sheet of the pile if the latter is fed beyond its desired position, for moving the striker into position to engage the tripping mechanism.

22. In a machine for feeding sheets and like articles, thecombination with a support for a. pile of sheets, a comber for fanning out the uppermost sheets of the pile, and means for lifting the oomber out of opera tive relation with the pile during a portion of the cycle of the machine preventingthe descent of the combcr into engagement with the pile. a feed board for supporting portions of said fanned out sheets. means for lifting portions of the topmost sheet and delivering said sheet from the machine, and a trigger in the path of the second sheet of the pile and out of the path of the topmost sheet for effecting the actuation of said stop. 4

:23. In a machine for feeding sheets and like articles. the combination of the means for supporting a pile of sheets. a comber movable into and out of engagement with the topmost sheet of the pile. means for lifting portions of the topmost sheet and delivering it from the machine. and means for holding the combcr out of engagement with the pile of sheets including a part in the path of the second sheet of the pile and out of the path of the topmost sheet.

24. In a machine for feeding sheets and like articles. the combination with a vertically movable support for a pile of sheets. a comber for engaging the topmost sheet of the pile. mechanism for feeding the said movable support vertically. and mechanism for raising and lowering the comber operatively connected with said feeding means, of devices for preventing the lowering of the comber into engagement with the topmost sheet of the pile, and simultanemisly arresting the feed of said movable support, having a part in the path of the second sheet of the pile and out of the path of the topmost sheet, and means for raising portions of the topmost sheet of the pile and delivering the topmost sheet from the machine.

In a machine for feeding sheets and like articles. the combination with means for supporting a pile of sheets. a Comber movable verticallv into and out of engagement with the topmost sheet. a feed roller, a separator for lifting portions of the topmost sheet and a dividing roller adapted to pass beneath the topmost sheet and press itagainst the feed roller, of a clamp for engaging the second sheet of the pile, normally inoperative means for holding the comber out of engagement with the pile of sheets, and a trigger in the path of the seconthsheet of the pile and out of the path of the top most sheet for bringing said mechanism into operation.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

ROBERT E. KEMPER.

Cerrection inLetters Patent No. 1,180,299

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,180,299, granted Ap'ril 25, 1916; jlp'oli 'the application of Robert E. Keinper, of Rensselael New York, for ail specificatien requiring correction as follows: Page 8, line 60, claim 22, after the be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the recerd of the case in the Patent Oflice.

' Signed and sealed this 30th day. or rvm pA. 1)., 1916.

J. T. NEWTON,

[SEAL] v Act'ihg Commissioner ofPatems.

imprevement in 4 Sheet-Feeding Maehinee, an errorappears in the printed word machine insert the words a stop for; said that the said Letters Patent should v 

